I made a mistake...it was alcohol induced

[07DropTop]

Hello All,

Please forgive me...It sucks to start any relationship with long drawn-out apology, but I am doing penance.

After having driven Toyota products (2 Siennas , 2 Tundras, Spyder) among other things (2 Vettes, NSX), I purchased my first Solara (06 Black/Tan SLE Convertible) in the summer of 05. I loved it (except for the absence of Bluetooth and being unable to figure out a way to interface my iPod to the stock stereo). The car drove great, the gas milage was great (compared to my Tundra) and there was enough room for the wife and our two lil ones. Life was good.

On New Year's eve day of '05, I paid a visit to a good friend of mine. Now you see, this is one of those friends who has more money than sense and always has a fridge full of beer. Dangerous mixture. After a couple of cereal malt beverages, he tells me that he is thinking of buying a new 750i. I asked him what was wrong with his 6 month old Mercedes CLK500 and he replied, "Nothing, I just want the BMW." And without taking a breath he said, "Hey! Why don't you buy my Mercedes?" I begged off, telling him how much I loved my Solara and that it, too, was only about 6 months old. "Besides" I said, "I don't have anyone to sell my car to." We chuckled and slapped each other on the back and that was the end of it, or so I thought. 3 or 4 or 12 more barley pops ensued, and the next thing I know, we are on the phone with another friend of ours telling him that he needs to buy my Solara so I can become the proud owner of a '05 CLK500. Unfortunately he had been drinking too...So, of course he said, "Sure!" And that was it...48 hours later my beloved Solara was gone and I was driving home in a German car. Still no Bluetooth, but the iPod interface was killer!

So, for 6 months I have been a sinner...and miserable. Until now. I finally found someone (yet another friend of the evil trinity above) to buy this sorry excuse of a car from me. And yesterday, I went and visited my favorite sales guy at the dealership here in Austin and ordered up a new 07 SLE Convertible (Black and Tan, of course) which will be on its way from Louisiana on Monday.

I have never posted to this forum before, but used to read it all the time before my damnable covetousness and sloth. I felt obligated to register and apologize to all you fine people and to tell you that it will never, ever, happen again.

Hopefully you will forgive me and help me with a quandry. Now that I will be back in a decent car again, I would like to get your input as to the top 5 modificattions that I need to make to the car. So put your thinking caps on, and help me figure out where to start. Be specific, points will be given for showing your work. I want the biggest visual bang for the buck, but I'm a cheap b:bad-words:d so extra credit will be given for originality and ingenuity.

Thanks for listening and for letting me fulfill my 12 step obligations...

I will never buy German again...I will never buy German again...I will never buy German again.

[PhreakdOut]

Welcome. Sorry to hear you had such a crazy experience. The CLK is quite a car but with a hefty price tag. For the money, it's really hard to beat the Solara. I too had my only experience with a German car some years ago. I gave up a beloved 300ZX Turbo for a Porsche 944 Turbo. Shortly after the #2 rod bearing gave out at 28,000 miles. (Just out of the factory warranty at that time.) I uttered the same words of "never again." (And I have not.)

Top 5 Mods: Biggest bang for the buck.

Keeping in mind the 07 is a Gen 2.5 and none of us have tested Gen 2 parts on it. (I'll assume it's the same since only the front and rear bumpers and lights have changed.)
1) Springs (TRD) - Estimated $400 installed. Toyota has a nasty ride height in stock form. You can place your fist on top of the tire and not touch the wheel well. Yuck! Teins are another option besides TRD springs.

2) Rear Sway Bar - See RGZTOY for a deal on this. Est $165 shipped. Combined with the springs, the ride and handling is awesome. It's easy to install. No need to take it to a dealer. See tutorials if you want details.

3) Intake - $200 shipped - Extremely easy to install. I did a tutorial on this. The Induction sound is fantastic. Pickup is much better off idle.

4) Exhaust - This is kind of expensive. Ranges from $400 down to $300. Keep an eye out for deals online here. The appearance is great with the body kit. I'm not sure if the Gen 2.5 SLE Convertibles have the body kit available. If so, go for it. It's not loud. I did a video of the TRD exhaust on my car. Use the search for it.

5) Wheels - Anywhere from $800 - $2000 depending on what you want. The stock 17's are OK, but a car of this size begs for something a little bigger looking. I run 18s with 235/45R18 summer tires in the Detroit area. (In winter, the stock 17s go back on.) I would run 19s or 20s, but the roads are a little harsh and I don't want to risk rim damage.

[07DropTop]

Thanks for the warm welcome Phreak.

Believe me, no need to feel sympathy for my CLK transgression. It was a stupid mistake. Thankfully I was able to sell it and not lose any money on it!

I appreciate the recommendations on the mods. It looks like that for around $3000 I can be high style in my new ride. I can definitely live with that. That still leaves me $20K below what the CLK cost...and thankfully what I am selling it for

I do believe that the body kit is available. The 2007 Sport come standard with it, and while its not an option for the SLE, I should be able to chase one down to add.

The rest sounds like a no brainer. I'll see what other feedback others have and I'll get started on my homework assignment as soon as my new ride arrives. Any opinions on the TRD wheels? I like a couple of the styles and they seem reasonable.

Thanks for a great site, I've learned more here in the brief time I was lurking than I probably would in a lifetime of google searches!

[theprodigy79]

Hey, welcome back to the Solara side. You appear to be the first on the forum with the new '07 make-over... let us know how it is! You can't be too much of a 'cheap bastard' buying a CLK...

I agree with Phreakd on the 5 items. If you want some guaranteed performance increase you may want to consider the CP-e intake over the Injen (which is priced above)... It is twice as much ($469) but it is the ONLY true performance increasing mod available for the Gen 2 Solara thus far... The only problem with either of the intakes is the fact that they are said to work on the '04 - '05, however supposedly people are unsure of the '06... Let alone the '07, which may have further minor changes to the drivetrain that may effect compatibility (especially on the CP-e)... Watch out either way though, as none of us know too much about the '07... And make sure that you fill us in on any input you have to offer about it!!

Take care,

-James

[MCOjerry]

Welcome! I'll take that mistake off your hands for $1000

[07DropTop]

You can't be too much of a 'cheap bastard' buying a CLK...

Well, I don't know about that, my wife says that if she shoved a lump of coal up my a$$ that in two weeks she'd have a nice new diamond.

Thanks for the welcome. Can't wait to get the car. I tested the bluetooth in the camry and was amazed at how well it worked. It hought it was much better and easier to setup than the BMW version even. Hope that it works equally as well in the Solara.

I'm probably going to start with the exterior mods first. Wheels, Springs, etc. and work my way under the hood. But I appreciate the recommendation on the intake. I will take a look at it and post anythin g that I am able to find out.

Best,

dlb

[07DropTop]

Welcome! I'll take that mistake off your hands for $1000

Thanks Jerry....you're a helluva guy Thankfully the demand for it was high and I was able to get a good price. Almost $2000!

[MCOjerry]

Welcome! I'll take that mistake off your hands for $1000

Thanks Jerry....you're a helluva guy Thankfully the demand for it was high and I was able to get a good price. Almost $2000!

LOL

You said you wanted to get rid of it, so I thought I'd try!

[07DropTop]

You said you wanted to get rid of it, so I thought I'd try!

Just what I had hoped for when I signed up for this forum. A great bunch of friends who would always look out for a guy's best interests LOL

[Turbosolara]

welcome back. an aftermarket front grill might be aviliable in the winter of 2007. (if it has same bolting point with 04-06 and if the gen 1 solara grill sell well). maybe eventually you guys will have an aftermarket front lip aviliable too.

[sydemoid]

Dude, I read this post, and was like.... No F***ing way!!!!

First off, welcome.

Sencond off.... you want looks, with a dash of performance?....

I personally have my own method, it has worked very nice on both vehicles I have owned so far.

1) Beef up handling and traction... obvious: Springs/struts, wheel/tire packages allow you to mix and match as you see fit. I would do research on tire types, tread designs, feedback on previous users of the same item, before I purchase anything.

2) Brakes... plain and simple, no need in going fast if you cant stop quick, this is an area many people overlook, and when they crank up the HP... they cant handle it, and the fender benders begin. So simple cross drilled rotors make a difference, and also add allure to the looks.

That does the primary performance upgrades section, notice the only thing you have from my list so far, that affect looks are wheels.

For dramatic looks, HID kits are pretty cool, the light output, and proper color temperature is key. Personally running 8500k diamond white (slight blue hue).

You mentioned body kits.... Im not big on it, I personally like sleepers... lol

Ok, I have blabbered about enough.

Austin eh?... I lived in San Antonio for 4 yrs, while in the Air Force, TX is fun.

[Down2TheC]

Starting small...
1. Ragtop only mod from the Tutorials (you'll love it or look at me funny.)
2. sill plates
3. Rear Sway Bar
4. Intake if you're performance minded. Drop if you're going for look.
5. TRD muffler for sound or wheels for looks.

P.S. If you're get an SLE Get the sport trim before delivery. They'll put it on an SLE but after you take ownership it doubles in price since you can only buy it part by part.

[kamikazi]

first off welcome to solaraguy.
second off.. ewww ewww ewww an '05 CLK500 i'm so glade you got rid of that thing.... the CL will make u look 50x older and the Solara will make u look 50x younger 60x for the convertable haha.

[PXLpainter]

Welcome aboard - hopefully you'll enjoy the topless ride!

All the mods mentioned above are going to get you about as far as you can go without custom parts - but unless you've got a buddy at a dealership who can score you the GE package, don't hold your breath! About a couple $grand to get it afterwards piece-by-peice. They have us by the short 'n curlies there.

Good luck!

[TripleBlack]

Really? You didn't like the CLK? How odd. That's a really nice lookin' car. I've never driven one, however.